Requesting Assistance from the Military Family Relief Fund

What is the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund? 

The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) was created to provide financial assistance to active duty service members, Veterans, and their families for unforeseen financial hardships caused by the service member’s military service. MFRF is open to both pre 9/11 and post 9/11 service members. MFRF is designed to bridge the gap for basic living expenses caused by unforeseen circumstances. Basic living expenses include, but are not limited to rental assistance, vehicle payments, utility assistance, etc. Common finances not covered by MFRF are VA debts, education, child support, credit cards, legal fees, etc.

Eligibility Requirements

Service Members and Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who meet all of the following criteria may be eligible for financial assistance:

1. Deployment by the service member or Veteran

Military deployment is the movement of armed forces. Deployment includes any movement from a military service member’s home station to somewhere outside the continental U.S. and its territories.

2. Arizona Residency (one of the following must apply to the service member or Veteran)

1. Claimed Arizona as home of record OR
2. Member of Arizona National Guard at time of deployment OR
3. Deployed from an Arizona military installation OR
4. Established residency in Arizona and be able to provide proof of continuous physical presence in Arizona for at least 12 months prior to submitting an application.

Below is a list of acceptable documents to prove 12 months of continuous physical presence in the state.

“Continuous physical presence” means that a service member has a documented place of habitation and is living in this state or has a community service organization verification of homeless status and continuous physical presence in this state.

Acceptable Documents

• DES benefit summary
• Lease or mortgage statements
• VA blue button appointment report
• Utility bills, (water, electric, gas)
• 3 or 5 year state motor vehicle record $3 and $5 dollar fees
• Employment history report
• State income tax returns
• Property titles
• Health or medical records showing consistent appointments
• College verification of enrolment verification
• Community service organization letter

3. Financial Hardship (one of the following must apply):

For Veterans & service members: must demonstrate that your current or past military service caused their current financial hardship

For family members of a service member: must demonstrate that a financial hardship is due to the service member’s current military service

For surviving families: service member or Veteran died or was wounded in the line of duty and family members need financial assistance with travel and living expenses.

(If a widow, widower or dependent child of a deceased service member is applying for financial assistance, the service member must have died in the line of duty in a combat zone or a zone where the person was receiving hazardous duty pay)

Financial assistance from the Arizona Military Family Relief Funds are determined by MFRF Advisory Committees, which are comprised of twelve members appointed by the Governor, as well as the ADVS Director or the Director’s designee. The Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 MFRF have separate advisory committees. One-time emergency financial assistance is available for first-time applicants through the Pre-9/11 or Post-9/11 MFRF Emergency Committee, which is composed of five of the Advisory Committee members. The one-time emergency assistance is limited to $3,000 and the lifetime limit for the MFRF program is set at $20,000.

If you meet the eligibility criteria the link for the applications below. Before completing the application please refer to the “How to Guide” below. This document shows step by step instructions on how to complete the application and how to submit required documentation.

Online MFRF Grant Application

Once you have reviewed the “How to Guide” follow this MFRF Grant Application link to access and complete the online application.

NOTE - THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE ONLINE APPLICATION IN ORDER TO BE PROCCESSED: DD214, two months of bank statements, two months pay stubs, past due/future bills for what you're requesting financial assistance with, VA decision letter and ratings. Other required documents (if applicable): proof of relationship to service member or Veteran (e.g. birth certificates, marriage license, child support order, divorce decree). Missing documents will result in applications not being processed. 

FY22 MFRF Application Submission & Advisory Committee Meeting Dates